Man arrested for allegedly defrauding Boston Marathon fund

BOSTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Massachusetts police said they arrested a 22-year-old man who allegedly submitted a claim for $2.195 million from The One Fund Boston in his dead aunt's name.

Branden Mattier, of the South End, allegedly told the charity organization his aunt, Onevia Bradley, was expected to have a double amputation in the future after she was injured in the Boston Marathon bombings, WFXT-TV, Boston, reported Tuesday.

He submitted a letter allegedly from the chief of trauma services at Boston Medical Center to provide proof of his aunt's injuries.

The One Fund Boston -- which hands out donation money to the Boston Marathon bombing victims -- became suspicious of Mattier's claim and handed it over to the attorney general's office to investigate, WFXT reported.

The hospital said they never treated anyone with Bradley's name for bombing injuries and denied providing the letter.

Investigators also confirmed that Mattier's aunt had been dead for 10 years.

State police arrested Mattier when he accepted a simulated check for $2.195 million delivered by an undercover state trooper, WFXT reported.

United Press International is a leading provider of news, photos and information to millions of readers around the globe via UPI.com and its licensing services.

With a history of reliable reporting dating back to 1907, today's UPI is a credible source for the most important stories of the day, continually updated - a one-stop site for U.S. and world news, as well as entertainment, trends, science, health and stunning photography. UPI also provides insightful reports on key topics of geopolitical importance, including energy and security.